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WATKINS. 



THE SHEAFE FAMILY 



OF 



OLD AND NEW ENGLAND. 



By 

WALTER KENDALL WATKINS, 

Malden, Mass. 



PRINTED FOR THE A UTHOR. 

BOSTON: 

1901. 






[Reprinted from Nbw-Enq. Histoeical and Genealogical Reoistek for April, 1901.] 



%^%Q' 






THE SIIEAFE FAMILY IN ENGLAND AND 
NEW ENGLAND. 



Some of the principal settl(?rs of Guilford, Conn., were men from the 
county of Kent. P^ngland, and it \va3 an old Kent family, the Guildfords 
or Guldefords of Henisted, Kent, from which it derived its name. 

Located at Hemsted, in Banenden parish, which adjoins Cranbrook and 
Rolvenden, soon after the Conquest, the Guhlford family were prominent, 
both from their public service and through the alliances they formed. It 
was in 1575 that Sir Thomas Guldeford entertained Queen Elizabeth at 
Hemsted. A modern mansion has since been erected there, and is the 
seat of Viscount Cranbrook, a recent creation (1878), -the Gnldford bar- 
onetcy having become extinct in the first part of the eighteenth century. 

Another residence of the Guldefords was Halden-Place, in Rolvenden 
parish, which came into their family l)y marriage of an heiress of the 
Haldens, temp. Henry IV. 

It was Sir Henry Guldeforde, son of Sir Thomas above mentioned, who 
in 1587 sold a Thomas Kitchell 100 acres of marsh ground in Guldeforde 
marsh, in the parish of East Guldeforde, Sussex. Tiiis mai'sh is now 
known as Guldeforde Level. 

It was shortly before this period that Thomas Sheaffe, grandfather of 
Jacob the emigrant, ])ui'chased lands in Woodchurch, Kenardingfon and 
Apledore, Kent, of Richard Guildford, son of Sir John and half brother 
of Sir Thomas — Richard having become possessed of the Manor of Ilorne, 
alias Kenardington, by marriage with an heiress of the Horn family. 
After this, Richard, not having taken the oath of supremacy to (^ueen Eliza- 
beth, was declared attainted and fled the country, and his lands were for- 
feited to the crown. , 

At Tenterden, where a branch of the Whitfields lived, Pittlesdeu Manor^ 
at one time (Hen. VII.) belonged to Sir Edwar<l Guldeford, Kt. Kenchill 
in the same parish also belonged to him. 

Troops of young Flemings came to England in the time of Edward III., 
to establish the cloth trade, and finding Cranbrook, Kent, a favored spot 
for the industry, it was started there, and broadcloth halls were soon built, 
where the master manufacturer lived and kept his stock. Many of these 
halls are standing to-day ; one of these is Willesley House (the residence 
of W. Smith Marriot, Esq.). Willesley was be(]ueathed to Edniond, 
father of Jacob Sheafe of Boston, by his uncle, William Sheafe of Cran- 
brook, who received it from his wife's step-father. Dr. Thomas Lange, of 
St. Cosmos and Damain-in-the-Blean, near Canterbury, in 1594. The 
cloth trade prospered, and large fortunes were made by the " Grey Coats 
of Kent," as they were called after their dress. Of these cloth workers 
were the Sheafe family, and others with whom they intermarried. 

Thomas Sheffe of Cransljrook, Kent, in his will proved at Canterbury, 
10 July, 1520, mentions his desire to be buried in the church of St. Duns- 



tan of Craubrook, vvitliiu St. Thomas's Cliaucel, before the image of Our 
Lady of Pit\- there. 

"' Richard Sheff, born about 1510; died 1557 ; m. about 1534:, Eliza- 
beth '-; buried 15 Oct., 1564. 

Children : 

JoAX, lu. llichard Knachbnll. 
Thomas, b. abt. 15;'>r3. 

KAriiEiuNi:, lu. Love. 

MAKCAKirr, 1). loo.S; bur. It June, 1574. 
Maugai:et, b. 1540; m. Jobii Suiursoll. 
A LICK, b. 1511. 
"William, b. 1513. 
Mauy, b. 1545. 
Anne, b. 1546. 

77n' 117// of liichard Sheff, in tJiP Prerogative Court of Canterbunj. 

" (34 Wrastley.) 

The 21,<t day ol June, 1557, I Richard Sheff of the parish of Crauebroke in 
CO. Kent, clothier. 

To be buried in tlie pnrisli Cluircli of Crauebroke, in St. Thomas's Chancel, 
beside the body of my father. 

(Leiracit's to tlie said Churcli and to the poor tliere.) 

An obit to be kept yearly in the said church for 4 years after my deatli. 

I give to Elizabeth'my Avife .£200. 

To each of uiy unmarried daugliters, viz., M;iriiaret Sheff a^ed 1(3.^ years, 
Alice Sheff ased 15.^, Margery Sheff aged 18.^, JMary Sheff aged llij, & Anne Sheff 
aged 11 years at Easter next before the date hereof, I give ;£'50. 

If more than 2 of my daughters die before attaining tlie age of 25 or unmar- 
ried, tlien their portions to go to my sons Thomas & William, when the latter 
reaches the age of 22. 

The said Thomas to be charged Avitii the bringing up of my said dau", & I 
give him one of my silver goblets. 

To .7oan Knacliebull my dau. anotlier goblet. 

To Elizabetli luy wife my best silver <i-oblet, &c. &c. 

To Katheryn Love my dan. a silver pot, & a scripture thereupon parcel gilt. 

To Anne Knachebull dau. of Richard Knacliebull & Joan my dau. £3. 11. 8. 

Tlie residue of my household stuff (after my wife has taken her choice) to be 
divided between my said wife & Thomas my son, reserving to the latter all the 
hanging now in my principal tent wh n-ein I now dwell. 

I will that the said Thomas shall yearly for IG years after my death deliver 
to the said Elizabeth at the messuage whereon I now dwell or at my messuage 
where liobert Clachyuden now dwells in Cranebrook 20 loads of good wood 
" redy made." 

To William my son £400, & I will that my executors buy land within the same 
to the u.se of my said son. 

To Walti'r Ilendley my cousin my best gown, &c. 

To J(jhn Sheff my brother £5, &c. &c. 

To JNlathewe Cryar a gown, &c. 

To Sir John Baker, knt., £5. 

To " M-- Richard Baker Esquyer" £5. 

The residue of my goods to Thomas my son whom I make executor. 

The said Sir John Baker & M''. Ric' Baker to be overseers. 

This is the last will of me the said Richard Sheff concerning my lands, &.C. 

I give to Eliz. my wife the tenement and garden which Robert Clachynden 
now dwells in in Cranebrook for her life, also an annuity of £10 issuing out of 
all other my messnaiies. lands, &c. in Cranebrook for her life, also the occupa- 
tion of the great i)arloiir at the upper end of the hall of my principal messuage, 
the chamber over the said parlour, the 2 chambers next the harlier of the said 
messuage, the little " Bnitre," the little cellar, with a place for her Avood. 

I give to Thomas Sheff my son all my messuages, lands, &c. in Crauebroke : 
to him and his heirs male; for default, to my son William and his heirs male; 
for default, to the next heirs of the said Thomas in fee simple. 



To William my son all my marsh land? in the parish or Ivechurch in co. Kent : 
to hold to him & his heirs male, for default, to my said son Tliomas & his heirs 
male; for default, the same to remain to the heirs of the said William in fee 
simple. 

Witnesses: George Atkynson, Vicar, Richard Courtop, William Corttopp, 
Henry AUard, Water Henly. 

Proved at London 24 Sept^ 1557, by the ex'or. 

Richard Sheaf of Cranbrook was on the Subsidy Roll in 1545. 

The Church warden's accounts for Cranbrook for 15G4-5 record the fol- 
lowing' : '• received of Thomas Sheafe four pounds as a bequest for the 
burial of his father and mother iu the churcli, and for repairs to the 
church." 

'f^TnojiAS Sheafe, born about 1535; married about 1559, Mary Har- 
man, b. 153G. They had fifteen children, nine sons and six daughters. 
Their children, baptized at St. Dnnstan's, Cranbrook, were : 

A daughter, married George Roberts of Brcancheley. 

1. Richard, mar. 8 Jan., 1581, Margery Robertes. 

2. Edmund, 17 March, 1559-60; mar. (1) Elizabeth Taylor ; (2) Joan (Jor- 

dan) Dowue. 

3. Thomas. 10 Oct., 15G2; mar. Maria Wilson. 
JOAX, 19 Dec, 1502: mar. Dr. Giles Fletcher. 
Katherixe, 13 :SIay, 15G4; bur. 27 Oct., 1581 (plague?). 

4. JoHX, 9 Sept., 15G5; mar., 30 May, 1586, Katherine Sanders. 

5. Alexaxder, 15 Dec, 1560; mar., 13 Sept., 1591, Phebe Hyder. 
Mary, 6 Jan. 1567; bur., 14 Oct. 1581 (plague?). 

6. Harmax, 4 July, 1570; mar. lie, 6 July, 1608, Sara Gyllebrand. 
A'xx, 2 :\rch., 1571; mar. Peter Courthop. 

Samuel, 21 Feb., 1573. 
William, bur., 27 Oct., 1575. 
Bex.taaiix, 18 Aug., 1577; bur. 21 Aug. 1577. 

Elizabeth, mar. lie, 13 Nov. 1602, Stephen Brett of New Romuey. A 
daughter, mar. John Ruck. .fi^- 

On a small brass plate iu Cranbrook 'Church, Edmund Sheafe records of 
his mother : 

"Mary Sheafe, the wife of Thomas Sheafe, who lived together nere xlv 
yeares, and has issue between them ix S(ms and vi daugliters, she a grave and 
charital)le Matron, dved Ixxiii vears of Age, November, 1609, impasivit. 
E. S." 

On a brass on an adjoining stone is : 

" William Sheafe after he had lived godly and christianly the space of 73 
years he departed this life the 21 of December, 1G16, and his body lies here 
buried." 

This refers to William Sheafe of Cranbrook, a brother of Thomas, who 
married, 24 Oct., 15G9, Katherine Courtoppe, bur., 24 Mch., ICll. 

]\Iary Sheafe, their sister, married 2(i Jan., 1561, John Couchman. 

William Sheafe evidently had no children, and left his property to his 
brothers and sisters and their children, as shown by his will which follows. 

Thomas Sheafe, yeoman, was buried at Cranbrook, G Sept., 1604, and 
an abstract of his will also follows. 

1615, December 29, William Sheaffe of Cranln'ooke, co. Kent, yeoman. Poor 
of Cranbrooke £10. Marg* Courthopp, widow, my sister £10. Mary Couchman, 
widow, my sister £10. Richard, son of brother Thomas Sheafe, dec.<^ £100. 
Edmund Sheaffe his brother £10. " Mr. Doctor Thomas Sheaft'e his brother £20. 



6 

Harmon Sheafe liis brother ^100. Thomas Sheafe, son of said Richard ^50. 
Richard, lirotlier of the said Thomas £r>0. Harman, another brother ^20 -when 
21. Joan Bottinge, dansihler of Consin Richard Slieafe £"20. Eliz. Sheafe, 
another daniiiiter £20. Margaret Sheafe, another dan.iiiiter ;£'20. Helen Sheafe, 
ant'tlier dannhter ^'20. Thomas Sheafe, son of consin Jolni Sheafe, dec'', .£'20. 
Jolm ('onrtliopp and Alex^ ('ourthopp, sonnes of my consin Peter Conrthopp, 
w^'i dwells in the honse Avith ine each £?>0. Katherine Conrthopp their sister 
i'30. Land mortixa^cd by kinsman Thomas Slieafe for £SS. same to Mary 
Conrthopp, another daniiiiter of s'' Peter if nnredeemed. Thomas Slieafe, son 
of Consin Alex'' Slieafe, dec*!, .f'-iO. Alex^, Katlierine and INIary his brotlier and 
.sisters eacli .£'20. Thomas Rnck, son of John Rnck, that married brother 
Thomas Siieafe's danyhter j£'20. AV'" Conchman, son of my sister Conchman. 
Said Peter Conrthope .£'20 ^vhich 1 lent nnto onr Sovereign Lord James, and the 
privy seal Avhich I have thereof. John, Edmnnd, Samnel, Mary, and Helen 
Sheafe, children of consin John Sheafe, dec', each £'10. Anne Conrthopp, 
■wife of Peter Conrthopp, silver cnppe gnylte ami (! best silver spoons and a 
playne silver salte. Foresaid Kath. Conrthopp, one silver cnppe, and foresaid 
Mary Conrthopp her sister a trencher silver salte gnylte, consin Roberts, -wife 
of Mr. Geoi-ge Roberts of Brenchley, ring, etc., Anne Conrthopp, wife of the 
said Peter Conrthopp fnrnitnre. etc., John Courtliojjp my godson, son of Peter 
Conrthopp, cnbbenl in the kitchen, etc., Alex'' Conrlhoi^p cnl)berd in chamber 
over the parlor. Katherine and Mary Conrthopp fether bcdds, etc. Said god- 
son John Conrthopp my two books of Martyrs, and my great bible. Alex' his 
brother other bible. All pots, glasses, etc., to Anne, wife of Peter Conrthopp. 
Dr. Thomas Sheafe, ex'or. W" Sheafe, sou of Dr. Thomas Sheafe, mes- 
suage, etc., rA acres where I live. Peter Conrthope to have free use, etc., 
forone year. Eilnmnd Sheafe, son of Thomas Sheafe, my brother, mess, at 
Upper Wilsley. llannaii Sheafe, messuage, etc., 60 acres in Brencliley. Proved 
9 Jan. 1616 by Dr. Thomas Sheafe. 

Thomas Sheafe of Craulirooke, yeoman, in his will, dated 1G04, proved 
in Canterbury o (Jctober, ] ()04, mentions Mr. Eddie, Vicar of Cranbrooke ; 
Mary my wdfe ; my son Richard Sheafe ; my sons Giles Fletcher, George 
Robarts, Peter C'ourthop, and Stephen Brett ; my daughters Fletche]-, 
Robarts, Conrthop, and Brett ; my brother AVilliam Sheafe and his wife ; 
my sisters Court'nop, Ilovenden, Concliman and Gibbion ; Thomas, son of 
my son-in-law John Rucke ; my son ffohn Sheafe; Edmund, son of my son 
John Sheafe; Thomas Harmon, my wife's brother; Plicebe, widow of my 
son Alexander Sheafe; my lands and tenements in Cranbrooke, IIawki:er.st, 
Goodlierst, Brenchley, Penburie, Bennenden, Biddenden, Charte, Wood- 
church, Apledore, Keuardington, Rnckinge, Snave, and Warehorne. To 
my son Richard Sheafe my principal messuage, wherein the said Richard 
then dwelt, with all the lands, etc., belonging to the same in the town and 
parish of Cranbrooke, to him and his heirs for evei", and likewise other lands 
and tenements there, and the moiety of cei'tain lands and premises in Bren- 
chley and Penburie, to him and his heirs for ever. To my son Edmund 
Sheafe lands and tenements which I late purcliased of Richard Guilford, 
Esc]., in VVoodchnrch, Kenardington, and Apledore, and my messuage and 
lands in Chart and Bedersden, to him and his heirs for ever. To my son 
Thomas Sheafe lands and wood wdiich I purchased of Sir Thomas Fane, 
Kilt., containing 2o acres in Bennenden, to him and his heirs for ever. To 
John Sheafe, my son. my messuage, dye house, buildings, etc., with the 
lands belonging to it in (Toodherst, in the occupation of the said John 
Slieafe, also two tenements and 17 acres of land purchased by me of Sir 
Thomas Fane, Knt., in I^enenden and Biddenden, and other tenements in 
Cranbrooke. to him and his heirs for ever. To Thomas, sou of my son 
Alexander Sheafe, deceased, and Phoebe, his wife, my messuage called 
Bakers, with the dye house and lands, etc., belonging to it in Cranbrooke, 



also my messuage, lands, woods, etc., which I late purchased of John 
Couchman in Biddenden. To Alexander, son of my son, Alexander 
Sheafe, my messuage, lands, woods, etc., in the parish of Cranbrooke, upon 
the Denne of Plushingherst. To my son Harmon Sheafe my messuage, 
lands, etc., in Ruckinge, Snave, and Warehorne, also certain tenements in 
Cranbrooke. 

Mr. Eddie, Vicar of Cranbrook, was the Rev. William Eddy who suc- 
ceeded Robert Roads in 1589, and continued there "in low circumstances" 
till he died, in 1G16. He was paid by the wardens for transcribing the 
register fairly, from 1558, into the large parchment book still existing, and 
had the clerk's wages for calling the psalms, &c. His son Samuel, it is 
said, was the same who came to Plymouth, Mass., in 1G30. The predecessor 
of Mr. Roads was Richard Fletcher, who was made vicar in 1558. He 
was father of Ricliard Fletcher, chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, who attended 
Mary Queen of Scots at her execution. The son was made Bishop of 
Bristol in 1581), Worcester in 1592, Loudon in 159-1, and he died in 1596 
(he was father of John Fletcher the dramatist). Another son was Giles, 
who iu 1588 was an ambassador to Russia, of which nation he wrote a 
curious account in 1590, which was suppressed lest it should give offence 
to Russia. He married, IG Jan., 158U, Joan Sheafe, and their sons were: 
Phineas, born in 1584, died about 1650, and Giles, born about 1588, died 
in 1623 ; two poets of some note. Giles, the father, died in 1610. 

A daughter of Thomas and Mary Sheaf married George Robarts, Esq., 
of Brenchley, Kent ; and Margaret, their daughter and laeir, married Sir 
Walter Roberts of Glassenbury, Kent, who was knighted at Greenwich by 
King James, 7 May, 1624. 

1. RrcHARD Sheafe, born ; married, 8 Jan., 1580-1, Margery 

Robertes. 

Their children, baptized at Cranbrook, were : 

Joan, 13 Jan., 1582; m. Jonas Bottings. 
Kathekine, 20 Dec, 1584. 

7. Thomas, 5 June, 1587; m. lie. 3 Au2;. 1611, Mary (Maria) Gibbons. i^^t*-* 
Elizabeth, 26 Oct., 1589; m. 18 June, 1610, Timotlie Collier. >. «J "^ 
Anna, 20 Feb., 1591. 

Maky, 1 April, 1593; m. 19 Nov., 1612, Jeremy Gyles. 

8. Richard, 12 Oct., 1595. 
Margaret, 21 May, 1598. 

Ellixe, 13 Dec, 1601 ; m. lie. 28 July, 1620, Jolm Jacob. 

9. Harman, 12 Oct., 1606. 

Joan, daughter of the above, married Jonas Bottings, schoolmaster and 
parish clerk of Cranbrook. She survived her husband, and was buried 23 
Aug., 1656. Their daughter, Joane Bottings of Goldford, was buried at 
Cranbrook, 10 Nov., 1658. 

2. Edmund Sheafe, bapt. 1560, buried 1 Nov., 1626 ; married (1), 30 

May, 1586, Elizabeth Taylor, buried 5 March, 1598 ; mar. lie. (2), 
Jane, or .lone, Jordan, sister of Nicholas Jordan, and widow of 

Downe of Challock. 

The following children by Elizabeth were christened at IMarden, 
Kent : 

10. Thomas, 22 Oct., 1587; m. Mary Sharppy. 

Marie, 24 June, 1590; m. lie. 16 May, 1606, Joseph Glid, clothier, of 
Gouclhurst. 

Elizaueth, 13 Aug., 1592; buried 3 Aug., 1593. 

Elizabeth, 2 Dec, 1593. 
il. Edmond, 14 March, 1596. 



.'leni 



r^' 



8 

Christened at All Saints, Woodcliurcli, Kent (son of Joau) : 

12. John, 24 A.ug., 1600. 

Record not found : 

13. Harman ; of Willesley. 

Others were : 

Makgaret, m. Robert Kitchell. 

% Joanna, d. IG Aug., 1668; m. (1) "William Chittenden; (2) Abraham 
Ci'uttenden. 

Christened at St. Dunstan's, Cranbrook : 

14. Jacob, 4 Aug., 1616; d. 22 March, 1659; m. Margaret Webb. 
Mary, ID Oct., 1617; buried 30 Jan., 1617-8. 

Mary, 26 Sept., 1620; d. 22 July, 161)3; m. Robert Merriam. 
1 Aug., 1616, bur. " a crisomer* of Edmoud Sheafe." 

Edmoud Sheafe of Cranbrook, in his will, dated 1 Nov. 1625, proved in 
the Archdeaconry Court of Canterbiu-y, 11 Dec, 1G26, mentions among 
other relatives : Joane my wife, to my wife's five children, and to my three 
sons-in-law which married her daughters — to Joane my wife furniture, etc. 
at her discretion " betwixt her children and mine " — my loving brother- 
in-law Mr. Nicholas Jordan, Esq., for my wife's sake, his own sister, to be 
overseer ; my loving kinsman and neighbor Smallhope Bigge of Cram- 
brooke, and Robert Kitchell, now of Crambrooke, my wife's eldest ton, 
also overseers. 

His wife's five children were probably John, Harmon, Jacob, Mary, and 
eldest daughter Margaret, who married Robert Kitchell. Robert Kitchell 
and JMargarct Sheafe were licensed to marry, 21 June, 1G31, she being of 
Tenterden, age 30, and he of Rolvenden, and he is stated to have been 
born in 1004. Under the above circumstances it would seem that son 
meant son-in-law. At Rolvenden, Kent, Robert Kitchell and JMargaret 
Sheafe were married 21 July, 1632. They also had baptized in the same 
parish, 27 April, 1634, Harman; and 6 Dec, 1635, Samuel. Robert 
Kitchel went to Connecticut in 163'J, and in 1666 removed to Newark, 
New Jersey, where he died in 1672 ; his widow going to Greenwich, Conn., 
where she died in 1682. Harman, the sou, named after Ms great grand- 
father's family, did not come to New England, probably dyhig young. 
Samuel, bapt. 1635, came to Connecticut, married and settled in New 
Jersey, where he died 26 April, KVJO. Two other children were Joanna, 
named after her grandmother, who married Rev. Jeremiah Peck, and 
Sarah, who died at Guilford, 10 May, 1651. 

JMary Sheafe, bapt. 1620, at Craulirook, married Robert Merriam of 
Hadlow, Kent, who died at Concord, Mass., 15 Feb., 1682, age 72 years; 
while his widow survived till 22 July, 1693, dying at the age of 72 years. 

Mary JMerriam, in lier will written in 1688, mentions her cousin (neice) 
Mrs. Elizabeth Corwin, eldest daughter of her brother Jacob Sheafe ; her 
cousin (neice) IMrs. Mehitable Siieaf, youngest daughter of the same 
brother ; her sister's four children living in the Southern j^arts, viz : John, 
Nathaniel, Mary and Joanna Chittendon ; her cousin John Ruck ; her 
cousin Samuel Ruck. 

John and Samuel Ruck were sons of Thomas Ruck of Cliarlestown, 
Salem and l>oston, who deposed 19 July, 1636. as aged about 48 years, 
and whose household goods were shipt from Maiden, Essex, to New Eug- 

* A chrisom child was one buried within a montli of its birth ; therefore this was 
probably a twiu to Jacob, who must have been born in June or July, 1616. 



9 

land. (Lechford, p. 118.) He had a son Thomas, lost at sea in 1653; 
and a daughter, Joan, married Henry Farnham. He was first cousin to 
Mrs. Mary (Sheafe) Merriam, being the son of her aunt, who married John 
Ruck. He is mentioned in the will of Thomas Sheafe, his grandfather, 
in 1604, and also in the will of his grand uncle, William Sheafe, in 1615. 
In 1639 he constituted his friend Thomas Ruck of London, haberdasher, 
and Thomas Plum of Maiden, Essex, gent., attorneys for him in England. 
In 1650, John Ruck of Boston, N. E., and Thomas Ruck of London, haber- 
dasher of small wares, were attorneys for William Goodwin. (Aspinwall.) 
Thomas Ruck of London was perhaps the brother of John, and son of 
Thomas of Salem who was lost at sea in 1653. Thomas Ruck, sen., came 
to New England in an adventure with Joseph Meriam of Concord (brother 
of Robert), and William Hatch of Scituate, in July, 1638. (Lechford, 
p. 163.) 

William Chittenden came with his brothers-in-law to Guilford in 1639. 
It is possible that he was the William, son of Robert Chittendon, who was 
baptized at Marden, Kent, in March, 1594: ; and it was at Marden that live 
of the cliildren of Edmund and Elizabeth (Taylor) Sheafe were baptized 
— the half brothers and sisters of Jacob Sheafe. He had several children 
born in Connecticut, among them the four mentioned in the will of Mary 
Merriam. He died, 1 Feb., 1662, and his widow Joan married, 1 May, 
1665, Abraham Cruttenden, and died 16 Aug., 1668. 

3. Thomas Sheafe. bapt. in 1562; d. 12 Dec. 1639; married ]\Laria, 
bur. 26 July, 1613, at Welford, Berks, a dan. of Rev. William Wil- 



son, D.D., Canon of Windsor. William Wilson was son of William Wil- 
son, "late of Wellsbourne, LincolnshK-e, gent.," who is buried in St. 
George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, ^\^lliam, the son, was educated at 
Merton College, Oxford. He was a PreT^endary of St. Paul's and Roches- 
ter Cathedral, and also i-ector of Cliffe, Kent. He was chaplain of Arch- 
bishop Grindall of Canterbury, and was made Canon of Windsor in 1584. 

He married Isabel, daughter of John and Elizabeth Woodhallof Walden, 
Essex, a niece of Bishop Grindall. He died in 1615, and was buried next 
his father at Windsor. 

His eldest son was Edmund Wilson, M.D., of London, who gave the 
Massachusetts Colony £1000, about 1633, for arms and ammunition. 

His second son was Rev. John Wilson of the First Church, Boston. 

A daughter, Margaret, married David Rawsou of London, and was 
mother of Edward Rawson, first Secretary of the Bay Colony. 

In the will of Dr. Edmund ^Vilson, we have another coulirmation of the 
relationship to Rev. Henry Whitfield and the Sheaf family. His will was 
proved II Oct., 1633, and in it he gives to "my cousin (niece) Whitfield 
ten pounds, to Thomas Sheafe ten pounds, to cousin (nephew) Edmond 
Sheafe ten pounds, to cousin (nephew) Gnindal Shea-fe ten pounds, to 
cousin (niece) Norwood ten pounds, to cousin (niece) Wesley ten pounds, 
to cousin (neice) Rebecca Haselrig ten pounds," * * * the overseers to be 
my brothers-in-law, Thomas Sh.eafe, Doctor of Divinity, Mr. John Summers 
and Mr. Bartholomew Edwards of Aldermanbury. ( Registek, xiii., p. 175. ) 

Rev. William Wilson, in his will proved 27 JMay, 1615, mentions his 
godson William Sheafe when twenty-one ; and in the codicil he mentions 
his son-in-law Mr. Dr. Thomas Sheafe. (Register, xxxviii., p. 306). 

Thomas Sheafe was admitted to Cambridge in 1580, a Fellow of King's 
College. He succeeded George Darrell as rector of Welford, Ijerks, Aug., 



10 

1597 ; was also beneficed at anotlier place in the same county ; and was 
installed Dean of Windsor, 29 March, 1G14-15. He published "A Plea 
for Old Age " (London, lGo9) ; and died soon after, 12 Dec, 1639, and 
was buried in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. 

His will was proved 2 March, lGo9— 10 : To son Grendall lands in Hun- 
gerford and Inkpen, co. Berks. Books at house at Windsor and Wickham, 
in Welford aforesaid, exceiJting book of JNIartyrs, etc., to wife. Son Grin- 
dall lease of house at Newbury, and £15 to bear the charge of degree of 
B.D. Son Thomas, cottage at Benenden, co. Kent. Daughter Dorothy 
Whitfield blankets, etc. Seven children, Edmund, Grindall, Edward, and 
daughters Whitfield, Westlev, Norwood and Hesilriuire. Residue of estate 
equally to be divided. Sons Thomas and Edmund executors. 

The children of Rev. Thomas and Mary (Wilson) Sheaf e were : 

William, d. j-oung. 

15. Edmund, mar. Elizabeth Cotton. 

16. Thomas, d. 7 Aug., 1657. 

17. Gkixdall, d. 28 Apr., 1680; mar. Anne Jluuday. 
Dorothy, mar. Rev. Henry Whitfield. 

A daugliter, mar. Westley. 

A daughter, mar. Norwood. 

Rebecca, mar. Thomas Heselrigge. 
Edward. 

The register of Welford gives, under the date of 30 Sept., 1G14, the bap- 
tism of Edward, son of Thomas Sheafe, and there is a probability of this 
being a son by a second wife, as we find recorded the burial, 30 Sept., 
lGl-1, of Anna, wife of Thomas Sheafe. This is strengthened by the fact 
that P^dward is mentioned in his father's will, and only the seven children 
by Maria Wilson received bequests in the will of their imcle, Dr. Edmund 
Wilson, in IG'i;). There is no record of this second marriage at Welford. 

A branch of the Whitfield family was located at Tenterden, Kent, the fu-st 
being John, a brother of Robert, the grandfather of Rev. Heiuy Whitfield. 
John's son, Herbert of Tenterden, had a son. Sir Ralph Whitfield, Kt., and 
sergeant-at-law, who in his will, proved 1645, mentions " my cousin Henry 
AMiitfit'ld, Bachelor in Divinity," also another cousin, Francis Whitfield of 
Whitfield Hall, which was in. Bethersden parish, now called " The Thorne" 
(from a large thorn tree growing near it). In the Bethersden church are 
some Whitfield monuments, as in Tenterden church, where there is a fine 
marble one to Herbert Whitfield, who died in 1G22, who is mentioned 
above. 

Dorothy Sheafe, the daughter, was the w'de of Rev. Henry Wliitfield, 
who went to Guilford, Conn., in IG'-VJ, with Jacob Sheafe, his wife's first 
cousin, and others from Kent. Whitfield returned to England in 1650, 
and died at Winchester in 1657. (Register, li., p. 417.) 

Sir Tliomas Ilcsilrigg of Noseley, Leicestershire, High Sheriff, married 
I'l-ances, daugliter of Sir William Gorges of Olverton (Alderton), North- 
amptonshire. Their third son, Thomas, a mercer of the Cordwainer Ward, 
London, mai-ried Rebecca, daughter of Rev. Thomas Sheafe of Windsor. 
(\'isitation of London, 1633-4^ Harl. Soc, xv., p. 380.) His brother, Sir 
Artliur Ilesilrigg, mar. (2) Dorothy, sister of Lord Brooke, and their son, 
Sir Thomas, mar. Elizabeth, daughter of George Fenwick of Bruuton Hall, 
Northumberland, and Saybrook, Conn. 

4. Joiix SiiKAFH of Goodhurst, bapt. 15G5; died between 1604 and 
1609; mar. 30 May, 1586, Katherine Sanders. On his death she mar. 



11 

(lie), 6 Nov. 1609, Francis Birch, yeoman, of Goodhurst, where she re- 
sided. 

John and Katherine (Sanders) Sheafe had :' 

Thomas, d. in 1G18. 

Edmuxd. 

John. 

Samuel. 

Maky. 

Helen. 

Ann. 

They are mentioned in the will of their uncle, "William Sheafe. 

5. Alexander Sheafe, bapt., 1566; bur., 20 Sept., 1601 ; mar., 13 
Sei)t., l.V.ll. Phebe Hyder. 

Their children, baptized at Cranbrook, were : 

Thomas, 29 Oct., 1592. 

William, 22 Dec. 1594; bur. 28 Dec, 1594. 

Katherine, 1 Feb., 1595. 

Mary, 2 July, 1598. 

Alexander, IFeb., 1600; mar. — — . 

Phebe, the widow, and tiie four surviving children, are mentioned in the 

wills of their grandfather Thomas, and great uncle William Sheafe. 

6. Harmon Sheafe. bapt. 1570 ; mar. lie. 6 July, 1608, Sara, daughter 
of and widow of Gyllebrand of Cranbrook. 

7. Thomas Sheafe, bapt. 1587 ; mar. lie. 3 Aug., 1611, Maria (Marie?), 
dau. of Pliilip and Elizabeth Gibbons of St. Mary Magdalen, Canterbury. 

Theii* children, christened in Cranbrook, were : 

EiCHARD, 14 June, 1612. 
Elizabeth, 20 June, 1G13. 
Margaret, 21 Ano-., 1614. 
Thomas, 23 Feb., IfiKj. 
Gibbon. 27 July, 1G23. 
Mary, 26 Feb., 1625. 
Dorothy. 

All the children are mentioned in the will of their grandfather, Philip 
Gibbons, yeoman, of Canterbury. 

This family of Gibbons was the same as that of Gibbons the liistorian. 

PhUlip Gibbon of St. Mary Magdalen, Canterbury, yeoman, in his will 
proved at Canterbury, 16 September, 1629, mentions : Mary, my daughter, 
wife of Thomas Sheafe ; Elizabetli, Margaret, Dorothy and Mary Sheafe, 
my grandchildren ; Richard Sheafe, my daughter IMary's eldest son ; Rich- 
ard Sheafe, deceased, late grandfather of the said Richard ; Gibbon Sheafe, 
son of my daughter Mary ; Thomas Sheafe, son of my daughter Mary. 

10. Thomas Sheafe, bapt. 1587; dead in 16.35; mar. 24 Sept., 1616, 
at Staplehurst, Kent, Mary, daughter of and Frances Sharppy of Cran- 
brook. 

Their children, christened at Cranbrook, were. : 

Frances, 26 April, 1618. 

Mary, 30 Jan., 1618-19. 

Anna, 2 Mav, 1624, \ twins. 

Richard, 2 May, 1624; /bur. 20 Jan., 1625. 

William, 10 Feb. 1627. 

John, 12 July, 1629. 



12 

Frances, Ann aud Mary appear in the will of their grandmother, Frances 
Sharpye, in 16."3o. 

Frances S/iarpye of Cranbrook, widow, in her will proved at Cranbrook, 
22 Angust, 1(!35, mentions my daughter Sheaf e ; Frances Sheaf e, eldest 
daughter of my daughter Mary Sheafe ; Mary and Anne, t\YO other daugh- 
ters of my daughter Mary Sheafe ; my son-in-law Thomas Sheafe, de- 
ceased. 

13. Harman Sheafe, mar. (1) Elizabeth Panckhurst; mar. (2) about 
IG-iO, Mary, daughter of William Butcher of Ilurtspierpont, Sussex; mar. 
(3) Mary, daughter of Robert Swiuock of Maidstone, Kent, who was im- 
prisoned for non-conformity (Palmer's Memorial) ; mar. (4) Mary, daugh- 
ter of Edward A\^ood. 

He had christened, at Cranbrook : 

Mary, 10 Oct., 1G41. 
Elizabeth, 22 Dec, 1G42. 
Sakaii, 3 Dec, 1643; d. young. 
Harman, 30 Nov., 1G45. 
Thomas, 17 Oct., 1G47. 
Sarah, 22 Oct., KUi). 
Samuel, 11 Oct., 1G57. 

The last child was by the last wife, and two daughters by the second 
wife were surviving in 1GG2 — Elizabeth and Sarah; the latter married 
Jacob Sharp. This is shown by his statement furnished for the Visitation 
of Kent, 1GG3-1668, in which he also gives liis parents and grandparents 
— Ednuuid and Joan (Jordan) Sheafe and Thomas and Mary (Harmon) 
Sheafe. 

%r£:^^:>^ \\. Jacob Sheafe, bapt. 1616; died 22 March, 16.38-9, at Boston, 
IMass. He married, by special permit of 7 Sept., 1G43, Margaret, d. 24 
Fe!»., iu.)4, daughter of Henry Webb of Boston, formerly of Salisburv, 
Wilts. 

They had, born in Boston : 

Elizaheth, b. 1 Oct., 1644; d. 29 Aui;., 1718; mar. (1) 7 Sept., 1660, 

Kobert Gibbs; mar. (2) 20 March, 1675, Jonathan Curwen. 
Samuel, b. 4 Apr., bapt. 9 April, 1648. 
Mary, bapt. 19 May, 1650. 
Sai:ah, b. 14 Sc'pt.," bapt. 23 Sept., 1652. 
EiJEXEZER, b. 4 Feb., bapt. 5 Feb , 1653-4. 
Marcv, b. 25 July, bapt. 29 July, 1655. 

MEHrrAREL, b. 28 May, bapt. 30 May, 1658; nnir. Sampson Sheafe. 
Jacob, b. 23 July, bapt. 24 July, 1659; d. 4 Aug., 1659. 

Jacob Sheafe came Vvith Rev. Henry Whitfield, Robert Kitchel and Wil- 
liam Chittenden, relatives by marriage, and other Kent men, in 1G39, and 
settled at Guilford, Conn., where he was one of the pillars of the church. 

.l\Iistress Sheafe, a widow, was living at Roxbury in 1G40, and kept four- 
teen goats and ten kids. (Roxbury Land Records, p. 4.) 

Jacob Slieafe had sold in 1643 a house and land in Roxbury, and at 
about this tiuie he married "Margaret Webb. He was represented at Guil- 
ford by his attorneys in tv\0 law suits in 1645, and in 1G48 he sold his Guil- 
ford property. He also owned land in Roxbury, as shown by the Book of 
Possessions. He v/as a constable of Boston in IGol, and was chosen 
selectman of Boston 8 March, 1G57-8, and attended all the meetings to the 
time of his death. 




13 

He is buried under a table-tomb in King's Cbapel Burial Ground, on 
which is inscribed: "Here lyeth interred the body of Jacob Sheaffe, who 
sometime lived in Cranbrooke in Kent, in OULD ENGLAND, who de- 
ceased j« 22'i of March 1658 AE 42 years." 

His inventory amounted to £8528-8-3, evidently the benefits of his 
marriage to the daughter of Henry Webb, who was very wealthy. Among 
the items was one-quarter part of three mills at Roxbury ; dwelling and 
grounds ; sugar at England and Barbadoes ; a vessel and its cargo. The 
widow married, about 1665, Thomas, son of Rev. Peter Thacher, who was 
Rector of St. Edmunds, Salisburv, England, from whence came Henry 
Webb her father. 

Jacob Sheafe was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery 
Company in 1648, and its clerk in 1652. 

15. Edmund Siieafe, b. ; d. 1649; mar. Elizabeth, dan. of Samp- 
son and Elizabeth (Juxon) Cotton of St. Michael Pater Noster in the 
Royal, London. He was a citizen and mercer of London. 

They had : 

Elizabeth. 
Rebecca. 
18. Sampson, b. 26 Dec, 164G ; d. 1726; m. Mehitable Sheafe. 

In his will he gives to the poor of Welford, where he was born, 40 shil" 
lings. There is no record of his birth there, the only baptism being that 
of Edward, as given previously. It was probably a supposition of the tes- 
tator that he was born at Welford, his father having been rector there for 
seventeen years. His will is here given. 

1647, August 30, Edmund Sheafe, Citizen and Mercer of London. Daughter 
Elizabeth Slieafe ^250. Daughter Rebecca Sheafe ^250. Only son Sampson 
Sheafe ^'250 to be paid when 21 or married. Wife Mrs. Elizabeth Sheafe one- 
third of my estate. Brother Dr. Thomas Sheafe ^20. His eldest daughter 
Mary £5. "^Mother Mrs. ~E\\7J^ Cotton £10. Brother and sister Walters £5. 
Brother and sister Westfield £10. Brother and sister Edge £5. Brothers 
James ami Thomas Cotton each £5. Poor of parish where I dwell 40s. Poor 
of Welford where I was born 40s. Brother Grindall Sheafe, and brother Ed- 
ward Sheafe, and sister Westley, and sister Bale each 40s. Mr. John Graunett 
50s. for ring. Residue to wife Elizabeth ex'ix. Overseers, Dr. Thomas Sheafe 
and Mr. Thomas Walters. Dated 30 Aug. 1647; pr. 22 Oct. 1649 by Elizab. 
Sheafe, relict and executrix. 

16. Thomas Sheaffe, B.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge, 1624-5 ; 
M.A.. 1628 ; D. Med., 1636 ; Fellow of the College of Physicians, 1637 ; 
d. 7 Aug. 1657 ; had a daughter, Mary. 

17. Rev. Grindall Sheafe, b. , d. 28 Apr., 1680; mar. Anne, 

dau. of Rev. Francis and Munday. 

He was a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and a Doctor of Divin- 
ity. He was Vicar of Coltshall and Ilorstead, Norfolk ; an archdeacon, 
canon and prebendary of Wells ; and also held other preferments ; and 
was buried in the Cathedral at Wells. 

Rev. Francis Mundy was son of Francis of Oxford, gent. ; born, 1612, 
he matriculated 9 Nov., 1627, at Christ Church, Oxford; B.A., 1631 ; M.. 
A., 1634; B.C.L., 1636; D.D., 1661 ; a Public Actuary; Rector of Sul- 
lington, Sussex, 1639 ; of Dogmersfield, Hants, 1639 ; and of Welford, 
Berks, 1639; canon, 1661, and sub-dean, 1665, of Wells; treasurer of 
Landaff, 1665 ; Rector of Ashbury, Berks, 1666-74, and of Hinton Wald- 



14 

risli, Berks, from 1674 until his death, 22 Nov.. ICJS. There are several 
monuments of the Munday family in WeLford Churcli. Grindall and Ann 
(Munday) Sheafe had no surviving issue, as will be seen by his will : — 

1G79. January 2, Grindall Sheafe. To the poor of different parishes in Wells. 
Mrs. Eliz. Baker my sister-in-law ^50. Niece Mrs. Dorothy Grimstone ^40. 
Nephew Mr. Sarane'l Westley, woollen draper, .£40. Niece Mrs. Mary Vivian 
^10. Her sister Mrs. Martha Vivian .£"10. Mr. Grindall Wilson, Minister of 
Dymock, book, etc. Cousin Mr. Thomas Brickenden of Dinham, co. Somerset, 
books. Eliz. his wife. Money due to me from Mr. Henry Welstead. Nephew 
Mr. John Bale, son of Dr. John Bale of Canterbury, ^2U0. Residue to cousin 
Mr. Nich'us Pointer of Weils, and cousin Mary his wife. Pr. 21 May 1G80. 

18. Sampson Sueafe, b. 26 Dee., 1G4G, in St. Faith's Parish ; d. 1726 ; 
mar. about 1673, Mehitable, b. 28 May, 1658, dau. of Jacob and Margaret 
(Webb) Slieafe, his second cousin. 

Their children, born in Boston, were : 

Mehitable, b. 10 Dec, 1677; d. 14 Dec, 1677. 
Mehitable, b. 27 Nov., 1680. 

19. Jacob, b. 18 Feb., 1G81-2; m. Mary . 

Sampson, b. 14 Aug., 1683. 
Matthew, b. 1 Jan., 1684-5. 

In 1669, Sampson Sheafe had commenced to trade with Boston mer- 
chants, having previously lived in London. 

In May, 1671, he had removed to Boston (Snff. Deeds, vii., 175). At 
the town meeting of 10 March, 1677-8, he was elected a constable, but did 
not serve, paying a fine instead. 

In 1681 his house was burned; and the night of 9 June, 1688, he was 
robbed and wounded by three men on the Common. 

For several years he was a member of the committee to audit the town 
accounts, the last time 1-3 March, 1692-3. In 1693 he acted as clerk at 
the opening of the General Court. He then removed to Newcastle, N. H. 
He was Deputy Collector of Customs for New Hampshire, and Secretary 
and Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Councillor in 1 699. 

He held the office of Deputy Collector till 1707. Perhaps he returned 
to Boston in 1712, when his son Jacob was approved to keep one of the 
schools of the town. 

He died after 6 Dec, 1725, when Judge Sewall found him sick abed at 
three in the afternoon. 

19. Jacob Sheafe, b. 1682; d. 1761 ; mar. Mary . He was a 

schoolmaster in Boston, where he taught first the one on Queen (Court) 
Street, and later the one by the Common, which adjoined his fatlier's house, 
the lane to which became known as Sheaffe's Lane, and is now Avery Street. 

His children, born in Boston, were : 

Margarf;t, b. 1709; d. 1710. 
Mehitable, b. 4 Sept., 1711. 
Mary, b. 26 May, 1713. 
Abigail, b. 28 June, 1715. 
Margaret, b. 7 May, 1717; d. 1717. 
- Margaret, b. 12 Feb., 1718; d. 1718. 
Elizabkth, b, 15 March, 1720; d. 1720. 
LvuEA, b. 1 Oct., 1722. 
Jacob, b. 21 March, 1727. 
Sarah, b. 7 June, 1729; d. 1730. 
ELIZ.UJETH, b. 3 Feb., 1731. 



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